The prospect of affordable houses being built on the cleared site of an old nursing home was welcomed by Worcester councillors.

A scheme to build 34 houses and flats for both shared ownership between residents and a housing association and affordable rent was approved unanimously by members of Worcester City Council’s planning committee.

Thirty-four flats and houses will be built on land off Cranham Drive, and bounded by Brookthorpe Close, Rodborough Drive and Chalford Drive in Warndon, and the aim according to Sanctuary Housing, the developer, is to provide houses for people aspiring to get on to the housing ladder or those who are part of Generation Rent.”

Councillor Elaine Williams said: “I am pleased to see this scheme. This housing is utterly needed in the city."

Councillor Lynn Denham said: “The good thing about this is that it aims to be entirely affordable and it’s a definite mix of properties, and it meets a variety of needs for housing.”

Another councillor, Pat Agar approved that the buildings will have solar panels on the roofs generating electricity, and that 10 per cent of the development’s energy needs will be met through renewable sources.

Peter Martin, Group Director Development for Sanctuary Housing, said:

“It is widely known that more affordable housing is required in Worcester and we are delighted this Sanctuary Homes development will deliver 34 much needed new homes to the city on a currently vacant site.

"Now that plans have been unanimously approved we are looking forward to starting work on an affordable development that the planning committee felt ticked all the right boxes.”